Sr. Director of Site Operations

Sr. Director of Site Operations

Location:

Burbank, CA.

Company:
Crane Aerospace & Electronics.

Crane Aerospace & Electronics supplies critical systems and components to the aerospace and defense markets. Our operations span engines, landing gear, satellites, medical implants, missiles, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS). At our Burbank facility, every 1.2 seconds a product built by a team of 650 associates stops aircraft – delivering passengers and military personnel safely to their destinations. We are proud of a long track record of engineering excellence and a strong community atmosphere that includes great schools, weather, and entertainment.

Reporting to the Sr. VP of Operations, the Sr. Director of Site Operations will lead manufacturing operations at the Burbank, California site – the primary location for Landing and Control Systems (“LCS”). The role includes oversight of Operations, Supply Chain, Continuous Improvement (Crane Business Systems – CBS), EH&S, and Manufacturing Engineering. With a staff of approximately 650 associates, the Sr. Director will coach, mentor, and influence partners across the organization to deliver safety, quality, delivery, and productivity metrics that support sales growth.

• Provide leadership to operations functions, guiding, delegating, developing, and training the team to meet current and future customer needs while maintaining a focus on employee engagement and safety.
• Use a metrics‑driven cadence and coaching to drive root‑cause and corrective action, applying 5‑why and problem‑solving techniques.
• Continuously implement improvement processes through Kaizen, Six Sigma, and JDI (Just Do It) events, utilizing Crane Business System (CBS) tools such as Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, TPI, TPM, and 5S.
• Direct, motivate, and appraise performance of reporting departments, ensuring effective talent development, succession planning, and performance reviews.
• Develop and present strategic, financial, and operational proposals to leaders at all levels of the organization.
• Lead the Sales Inventory Operations Planning Process to align labor, material, and services with sales forecasts, improving on‑time delivery and inventory turns.
• Provide oversight to the Supply Chain team to reduce material costs, improve supplier performance, and enhance transactional processes.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance to uphold high-quality standards for parts and products, including AS9145 implementation.
• Track manufacturing costs across labor, material, and performance metrics, setting and monitoring targets to maintain projected levels.
• Provide sales forecasts, personnel requirements, capital investment projections, and productivity improvements for the site’s operating plan.
• Perform any additional tasks as assigned by management.

• Team Leadership – energize and motivate the organization, develop high‑potential associates, and provide specific behavioral feedback.
• Collaboration and Influencing – listen actively, use fact‑based persuasion, and influence key stakeholders internally and externally.
• Results Orientation – drive profitable growth through a proven manufacturing strategy, using performance metrics and benchmarks.
• Personal Presence – present strong interpersonal and presentation skills, maintain the highest personal standards, and respond to customer needs promptly.
• Self‑Confidence and Customer Focus – exhibit a “make‑it‑happen” mentality, independent thinking, and a strong work ethic.

• Champion new approaches and break old paradigms to drive positive change.
• Hands‑on approach – spend significant time on the shop floor to improve safety and employee work.
• Communicate effectively with peers and executives through written and verbal skills.

• Experience: 15+ years in manufacturing, operations, and/or supply chain within high‑mix/low‑volume aerospace, defense, or space manufacturing, or high‑tier automotive electronics manufacturing.
• 10+ years in a management/leadership role.
• Proven leader with a disciplined cadence of monthly metrics and reviews.
• Demonstrated experience deploying lean manufacturing tools…